Socio Demographic Profile And Awareness Among Sanitation Workers In Aligarh

Authors

  • Saleem Mohammad Khan Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
  • Anees Ahmad Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.
  • Najam Khalique Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
  • Salman Khalil Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh
  • Uzma Eram Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/8xae4n68

Keywords:

sanitation workers,awareness,health problems.

Abstract

The workers maintaining cleanliness in cities are popularly known as sanitation workersthroughout India. Sanitation Worker refers to all sorts of workers engaged in cleaning jobs, who handle dry and wet waste, and those who sweep. They are exposed to a variety of chemicals which pose an occupational hazard by exposing them to a wide range of health problems. Therefore this study has been undertaken, to assess the sociodemographic profile and awareness among sanitation workers in Aligarh. Across-sectional study was conducted in Aligarh including Sanitation workers under Nagar Nigam.The study period was one year, i.e.from July 2018 to June 2019. A total of  450 Sanitation workers were studied in a cross sectional study using multistage sampling conducted on sanitation workers employed under Nagar Nigam, Aligarh using structured questionnaires. The Questionnaire used in the study included Socio-demographic characteristics, Standard of Living Index, Health Problems,Health Seeking Behaviour and Satisfaction from Health System,Quality of Life, Stigma and Discrimination, Occupational Health Hazards, Alcohol Consumption and General Awareness. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS 20. Data entry and analysis were presented using descriptive statistics, which included percentages, means, and frequencies. In this study, males constituted most of the respondents, reflecting male dominance in urban municipal work. Urban residents accounted for 95.8%, likely due to employment-driven migration. Marital status was varied, with 80.9% married. As almost all of the Safai Karamchari were unaware of government schemes.The older age group of 41-50 years was found having higher health problems. On the analysis of health problems with the mean age of Sanitation workers, it was found to be significantly associated with a higher age. There is a need to acknowledge, improve and strengthen services, including improving the working environment and better health care to the sanitation workers.

Author Biographies

  • Saleem Mohammad Khan, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

    Senior Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

  • Anees Ahmad, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.

    Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

  • Najam Khalique, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

    Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

  • Salman Khalil, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

    Associate Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh

  • Uzma Eram, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.

    Associate Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh.

References

Sarkar J. Caste, occupation, and change. BR Pub. Corp.; 1984 Sep 1.

Sabde YD, Zodpey SP. A study of morbidity patterns in street sweepers: a cross-sectional study. Indian J Community Med. 2008 Oct;33(4):224.

Shadab M, Agrawal DK, Ahmad Z, Aslam M. A cross-sectional study of Pulmonary Function Tests in street cleaners in Aligarh, India. Biomed Res. 2013;24(4):449-452.

Khandare L, Salve PS. Examining Determinants of Health among Safai Karmacharis (“Ex-Untouchables” Caste) in Mumbai. Soc Dev Issues. 2022;44(3).

Salve PS, Chokhandre P, Bansod DW. Multiple morbidities and health conditions of waste-loaders in Mumbai: A study of the burden of disease and health expenditure. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2019 Feb 13:1-9.

Krishan K, Deepalatha RS. Safai Karamchari (Sanitary Workers)/Scavenger Community and Risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in India. Contemp Voice Dalit. 2021;1–10. DOI: 10.1177/2455328X211044570.

Bogale D, Tefera W. Assessment of occupational injuries among Addis Ababa city municipal solid waste collectors: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2014 Dec;14(1):169.

Diggikar UA. Health status of street sweepers with reference to lung function tests [Dissertation]. Pune University; 2004.

Nagaraj C, Shivram C, Jayanthkumar K, Murthy NN. A study of morbidity and mortality profile of sweepers working under Bangalore City Corporation. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2004;8:11-6.

Gupta SC. A Socio-Medical survey of sweepers and their families in Lucknow Municipal Corporation [Dissertation]. Lucknow University; 1962.

Study of health profile of street sweepers Pune Municipal Corporation. [Dissertation]. Pune University; 1986.

Krishan K, Deepalatha RS. Safai Karamchari (Sanitary Workers)/Scavenger Community and Risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in India. Contemp Voice Dalit. OnlineFirst, October 4, 2021. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Article Reuse Guidelines. https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X211044570. SAGE JOURNALS.

Kumar K. Social exclusion, social stigma as determinants for common mental disorders (CMD) [MPhil thesis]. Tata Institute of Social Sciences; 2017.

Mostafa NS, Abdel-Hamid MA, AlBagoury LS. Work-related respiratory disorders among street sweepers in Cairo, Egypt: A comparative study. Egypt J Community Med. 2015 Apr;33(2).

Bogale D, Tefera W. Assessment of occupational injuries among Addis Ababa city municipal solid waste collectors: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2014 Dec;14(1):169.

Downloads

Published

2024-09-20

How to Cite

Socio Demographic Profile And Awareness Among Sanitation Workers In Aligarh. (2024). Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 15(4), 354-358. https://doi.org/10.37506/8xae4n68